Home Product Reviews

Product Reviews

Smart Cover-Up Kit

I was recently sent the Smart Cover-Up Kit and I have really enjoyed playing with it for the past few weeks. The 10-piece set comes in two tones; Light Combo and Dark Combo.  Depending on your choice you’re then given 3 shades of concealing crème in addition to a Color Corrector, Moisture Primer Lotion, Cover Stick, Vitamin Beauty Stick, blending sponges, camouflage brush and a travel case.  I’m generally a medium-beige in foundation so I went with the Light Combo, which includes  Light Beige, Medium Beige & Dark Beige concealing crèmes.  That was a mistake! I gave the Light Beige away, the Medium Beige was way to light and the Dark Beige would be my correct color if it didn’t have such strong red undertones.  That said I

― READ ON →

Gold by Giles: My Closet Would Like to Give You A Home

Lara Eurdolian vs. Drew Barrymore

Photo Credit: Justin Oliver

Who wears the Gold by Giles dress better? I’ll give this one to Drew Barrymore, the face of the Gold by Giles Deacon collection; on one condition — they bring more of his designs to America!  I think that’s a fair request considering they choose an American brand ambassador.

This dress is awesome! Although I’m not photogenic, I will say this: it shaped so well and is very flattering in person.  The dress fits like a glove, although it does run small (especially if you’re busty).  However it’s lined and ribbed to really hold everything in place.  I just wish more of this collection was available in the US.  I couldn’t even find an official website for the brand! Although from what I could find out, the collection is exclusive to TheNewLook.com (super cute and reasonable fashion UK site) but the assortment currently available is very limited.  I want more!

Dry skin remedy: Bio-Oil

Post by Erika Mercado

On a recent trip to South Africa, I found my skin to be very dry so I set out to find a local product at the chemist;  I enjoy finding local remedies when I travel.  What the chemist had recommended was Bio–Oil. She let me try it on my skin and it quickly absorbed and had a good smell –I’ll take it!

I continued to use the product while in the South Africa and upon my arrival to NYC and it had done wonders- making my skin so smooth and even toned.    Thinking I could only get it in South Africa, I was surprised when to I found it at Duane Reade. Made with a no preservatives and a medley of good stuff (Vitamin A and E, Calendula, Lavender, and Chamomile oils) this summer my secret has been Bio-Oil.  I apply after it after the shower, and I’m good to go.  Great healthy skin, what else could a girl ask for?

Price: $19.99/4 fl oz., $11.99/2 fl oz.  For more information visit www.bio-oil.com

Affiliation: Pretty Connected has nothing to disclose.

White Heat by Brenda Novak (& Three Custom Color)

Okay Brenda Novak fans, the NY Times and USA Today Best-Selling Author is at again and turning up the heat with her latest novel, WHITE HEAT ($7.99). Launching on July 27th, WHITE HEAT is the first installment of her latest trilogy, which will be proceeded by BODY HEAT and KILLER HEAT; slated to launch later this summer.

In celebration of her most recent romance/suspense novel, Novak has partnered Three Custom Color Specialists to create White Heat Lip Gloss ($21.50). Don’t miss out! The first 50 online customers to purchase the gloss on www.threecustom.com starting July 27th will receive a free autographed copy of WHITE HEAT.

WHITE HEAT LIP GLOSS – A versatile, sheer pink gloss, with light shimmer. Hydrating and non-sticky the gloss is great alone or over your favorite lip shade.  Packaged in a swing-out lip gloss pot, the product can be applied with your finger or lip brush.

As for me, I’m going to pour a glass of wine and read all about Nate Ferrentino, the private security contractor assigned to infiltrate a mysterious cult that’s moved into Paradise, Arizona. Only problem is Rachel Jessop, Nate’s colleague and long time crush has also assigned to the case –as his wife. So much for keeping his distance (and keeping it

― READ ON →

Eyebrow Threading at Hibba NYC Salon

Tucked away on the 2nd floor of 448 West Broadway, Hibba NYC is Soho’s first ‘Browologist’ Salon that offers a full range of organic waxing, threading, and sugaring services.

Pretty Connected sat down with Founder and Browologist, Hibba Kapil to learn more about the woman who has mastered the art of threading and known for creating perfect arches.

Pretty Connected (PC): How long have you been doing eyebrows?

Hibba Kapil (HK): 9 years, I opened this location in February [2010]. Prior to this I rented a chair at a salon to build up my clientele.

PC: Between waxing and threading, which do you recommend?

HK: I don’t use wax above the neck. I recommend threading for face, although I recently began offering sugar, which is

― READ ON →

Summer Reading: BookSwim the Netflix of Books!

Calling all avid book readers (or in my case wanna-be-avid-book readers), break out your summer reading lists and sign up for BookSwim.  Similar in concept to Netflix, Book Swim is an online books & textbooks service that for a monthly charge allows you to to rent without due dates, late fees or shipping charges.

There are 4 levels of membership:

  • Light reader (3 books at a time) – $23.95/month
  • Casual reader (5 books at a time) – $29.95/month
  • Avid reader (7 books at a time) – $35.95/month
  • Devout Reader (11 books at a time) – $59.95/month

How it works: Browse their selection of books and add any of interest to your ‘Pool’ (which is the equivalent of your ‘Queue’ on Netflix).  You can then organize and prioritize the order.  Then depending on which plan you signed up you’ll receive the books in order of your pool.  If for any reason one of the books is not available, you will get an email in your inbox asking you prefer to have the next book in your Pool sent or to wait for the book to be back in stock.  From there the books are shipped to your doorstep with a prepaid envelope for you to return them at your convenience.  You don’t have to return all the books at once, in fact they recommend

― READ ON →

Daylight Defense by Dermalogica

I was given 3 pieces of advice when leaving for Colorado; bring a good book, watch out for the altitude (drink lots of water), and pack your sunscreen.

Done and done.  Since I don’t like to check baggage, for sunscreen I went with Dermalogica’s Limited Edition Daylight Defense Kit.  It’s very compact and consist of four sun-protecting products all of which are under 3oz, making it the perfect set to bring on my travels.

The Set includes:

  • Solar Defense Booster SPF30 (.34 oz.) – a lightweight face lotion that can be added to your moisturizer, foundation or worn alone for SPF 30 protection.
  • MultiVitamin Body Block SPF20 (1.7 oz) – nourishing body sunscreen that blends effortlessly onto skin with Shea Butter and Evening Primrose that helps hydrate skin and protect against dryness.  It also contains Panthenol which helps skin recover from previous sun damage.
  • After Sun Repair (1.3 oz) – after sun balm that helps repair recent UV damage, and soothe skin from overexposure from the sun.  Formulated with a blend of homeopathic herbs to reduce redness and soothe painful sunburn.
  • Solar Shield SPF15 (.28 oz)- Water resistant, sun protecting moisture stick for lips, ears and nose.

All items in the kit are made with UV Smart Booster Technology, a customized microcapsule that safeguard active vitamins, which burst open upon contact with UV rays to protect against free radicals (what causes wrinkles, loss of elasticity, age spots, discoloration… and all that bad stuff) and is

― READ ON →

Stuart Weitzman Pellets Shoes

To everyone that knows me, it comes as no surprise that I have a bit of a shoe addiction (they can be found along my closet, behind my door, under the bed, and any off-season shoes in my storage closet).  So lately I’ve been trying to be more responsible with my purchasing habits — if for no other reason then space restraints and to avoid being so wasteful.  So my new rule is no overlap – I do not need another pair of black pumps or brown flats no matter how cute or ‘practical’ they are.

When I first came across Stuart Weitzman’s Pellets shoes (the picture does not do them justice) I didn’t even realize they were made of rubber until I tried them on. And to be clear, I am not a jellies kinda gal, I do however lead an event heavy lifestyle, which when it comes to

― READ ON →

Tie One Off Father’s Day Set From Votre Vu

Post by Mike Twombly

Every year, the weeks leading up to Father’s Day are the same. You struggle with what to buy him, and eventually just break down and ask. But if your father is anything like mine, he’ll probably tell you he doesn’t need anything that badly, and that anything you can come up with will be fine. One suggestion to save yourself that headache is to get him something that he wouldn’t normally choose for himself – especially something that will be an upgrade to some of the things he already uses everyday. That’s just what Votre Vu had in mind with their ‘Tie One Off‘ Father’s Day Set.

The set features four different products, all designed to indulge your dad and help him look his best. Let’s start with the Ten Gauge energy shot – a fresh and flavorful juice drink for the morning, after work or the gym. Amazingly, in only 30 calories they packed in many all natural healthy supplements including B Vitamins, Selenium, Yerba Mate extract and Sea Buckthorn. This blend will both energize dad and help maintain his virility, something he wouldn’t be celebrating Father’s Day without! *cringe*

Most Dads love simplicity, and a product like Votre Vu’s ‘Formula 1 Hair, Face, and Body Wash’ (3.0 fl. oz) will definitely please even the

― READ ON →

Travel Tool Essentials: Ken Paves Nano and Con Air MiniPro

You’ve probably noticed that lately I’ve been slacking.  My travel itch has been flaring and while I thought more time to myself = more writing, evidently that has proved false.

While my blogging may suffer on this vacation, my love of trying new beauty products and tools has not.  In fact, there are currently two makeup cases filled with cosmetics and skincare as well as a travel flat iron and blow dryer in my suitcase.

Now it’s no secret that no matter how great my makeup and outfit is, if my hair looks bad, I feel bad [Disclaimer: this complex does not apply when hanging out by myself or with family].  So travel size hair styling tools are essential for when I hit the road.  Currently there are two that I’m excited about; Ken Paves Nano Silver Tourmaline Ceramic Styling Iron and Con Air MiniPRO® Tourmaline Ceramic™ Styler Hair Dryer.

I do of course recommend using

― READ ON →
Load more
© 2017 Pretty Connected. Powered By LIVING PROOF CREATIVE